The Fate/Stay series is beloved by fans for its three branching storylines: Fate, Unlimited Blade Work and Heaven’s Feel, character development and of course for the various servants in the series that fans lovingly refer to as waifus and husbandos. Since its release, the series has grown into a big franchise that spawned several sequels, prequels and spin-offs. One of those spin-offs is the Fate/Extra series that started on the PSP. It too started to gain popularity and spawned of several sequels of its own for the eighth generation of console, namely the PS4 and the Nintendo Switch. One of those sequels happens to be the game we are taking a look at for this review, Fate/Extella Link.
The last time I talked about Fate/Extella Link was last year during E2 2018. Back then it was announced that the game was going to be released on the PS4 and the Vita later that year. Since then the game was delayed, only to be revealed that it would be released in 2019 because it was also going to see a release on the Nintendo Switch. Now that the game is out, it’s time to see the aftermath of the Holy Grail War and of course meet all of the waifus and husbandos. Let’s dive into Fate/Extella Link for the Nintendo Switch.
When in Rome…
Story that fans will understand- For those who haven’t played the previous games in the Fate/Extra series, Link gives a quick recap of the events that lead up to the game. In that recap, it mentioned that the player, Hakuno Kishinami, was in a virtual world within an artificial environment called the Moon Cell with no memories of his past. The Moon Cell generates a replica of the Holy Grail War, and Hakuno participates in order to gain the prize of a wish to be granted. He partners with a Servant named Nero and together they battle their way to the finals as he gains his memories back. They win the war, take control over the Moon Cell Automation computer and rule over the rest of the Servants. Afterwards they are confronted by a new enemy that challenges their authority, which leads to a new war breaking out, and by the Umbral Star Velber. Link picks ups months after the end of the war and alien threat. Now a new enemy by the name Rex Magnus is challenging their rule and wishes to “free” all of the Moon Cell. If you happened to understand what’s going on, then you must be a fan of the series.
Battle of the waifus/husbandos- One of the main draws of Fate/Extella Link (and the Fate franchise in general) is the large selection of characters to play as. Or as fans of the franchise call the, waifus and husbandos. Fans of the franchise will go crazy with excitement over the roster of servants that are available to play as and unlock. Fan favorites, such as Nero, Tamano,Gilgamesh, Jeanne d’Arc and many more make their return, while new servants like Robin Hood, Lancelot, Charlemagne Francis Drake and many more make their debut. This totals up to about 27 waifus and husbandos to pick from. While some might be the same servant classes (Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin and Berserker) each of them have their own individual powers within that class. Players will also be able to bond with each servant, in which as the bond between master and servant grows, different buffs will unlock.
Simple,action filled combat- In these type of Muso games, hacking and slashing hundreds of enemies will get repetitive. So the combat system is key to make sure the action doesn’t get boring. Link’s combat system is simple, with a light and heavy attacks, a jump, block, active skills and a dash. While it may look simple, combat is action filled and fun. Players can perform simple combos with ease and can even cancel out of combos in order to start new combos. They also can use active skills as either starters for combos on enders. Players can also active Moon Drive which boost attack power and speed while also filling up a meter called Noble Phantasms.This is a servant’s super move that effectively kills or severally weakens all enemies in the area.
Super customizable- For a muso type game, Extrella has a ton of customization that players can apply to their servant. They can change their servants active skills when they level up. Another aspect of their servant they can change are install skills. These are passive skills (attack, defense, support) that buff up various stats or gives the servant characteristics from other different classes. If the servant has the same install skill or have the same install skill group, then they get an additional boost in the skills overall. Players can even dress up their servants in different costumes that they unlock playing the game or buy through DLC. As for the master, they can equip different mystic codes that they can cast different spells to support their servants during battle. Different mystic code have different skills. These range from buffs to healing.
Side missions, extra non-story missions- In addition to the main story mode, Extrella has additional content to keep players busy in the form of servant requested side-missions and extra non-story missions. Side missions are given by different servants and are tasks for the players to do during battle. These range from defeating 1000 enemies and pulling off 100 hit combo, to taking over sections of the battlefield under a time limit and doing some type of action. Players earn XP and a boost to a servant’s affinity towards the player. Then there are the extra non-story missions. These missions have no effect on the main story and are there purely to allow players to earn more XP, item drops etc. These missions are a pretty fun distraction as they give players objectives to carry out, such as stopping Nero and Elisabeth from getting on a stage and “singing”.
Branching paths- Just like other Fate games before it, Link has multiple branching paths that players can god down. Unlike the other games, these paths are not that complicated as players are able to backtrack and complete a different route. Backtracking is necessary if players want to unlock more Servants, missions and other things. This allows players to be able to experience the other paths without having to start over and add replayablity.
Delete! Delete! Delete!
Does get repetitive- As I mentioned before, in any type of Muso game, hacking and slashing enemies will start to repetitive. And it’s no different with Link. By the third chapter, players will start to feel a bit tired of doing the same thing over and over again, no matter how fun the combat is. Even missions and side missions can get repetitive after a while.
Non-fans will be confused by story- As I mentioned before, if you understood anything I said about the story of Link, then you must be a fan. If not, you won’t understand any of the references the game makes about the previous entry and references that Servants make. It’s okay though, non-fans of the series will still be able to enjoy the game as the action is the center piece.
Fate/Extella Link is a pretty enjoyable entry into the Fate/Extra series and the Fate franchise in general. It has plenty of pretty waifus and hansom husbandos to pick and player with. The combat, though simple, is enjoyable and beating literally thousands of enemies just to fill up the Noble Phantasm meter and unleash a powerful attack is fun. The game makes customizing Servants easy and fun. Which is great since there is a lot to do in the game, from side missions and extra non-story missions to branching paths in the main story you will be busy. However this serves as a double edge sword, as gameplay in general can get a bit repetitive after a while. Non-fans will get confused by the story when it mentions or refers to previous games in the series. None the less, if action is what you’re seeking, Fate/Extella Link is a pretty solid game. If you enjoy muso type games or looking for a new waifu or hubando, then give Fate/Extella Link a chance. Who knows, you might be the next winner of the Holy Grail Wars.
